Wednesday, September 9, 2026
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).
If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?
Those who have constructed their theological systems upon Matthew to John and early Acts have inadvertently created insurmountable hurdles for themselves. A classic example is, in their effort to “be like Jesus,” they are forced to confront the verses where He warned not to lay up treasures on Earth but rather lay up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). To wit, they would have to part with their bank accounts and all their material goods—but they will not follow Him here, dismissing these words of His as mere “figurative language.” Yet, the problem is that believers in early Acts obeyed Him literally, actually selling their possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor (Acts 2:44,45; Acts 4:32–5:11). Upon being asked for money, Peter thus answered in Acts 3:6, “Silver and gold have I none!” Why was there 100% giving here? Was that not “too extreme?”
Entrepreneurs Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John all left their fishing businesses behind (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11). “And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him” (Luke 5:11). “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?…. [Jesus answered] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:27,29; cf. Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). This is what materialistic/unbelieving/idolatrous Israel refused to do (Matthew 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, Luke 12:13-21, and Luke 18:18-27)!
These saints were awaiting the Antichrist, whose economic system would not allow them to buy or sell without his mark, his name, or the number of his name (Revelation 13:16-18). Hence, by divesting themselves of all material goods, believing Israel would not be faced with the choice of deciding between following Antichrist and following Christ. Matthew 24:15-22 and Mark 13:14-20 enlarge upon these (yet future) events. Of course, such is prophecy instead of mystery, meaning neither tithing nor 100% giving pertain to us….
333 Words of Grace 